Author: Editorial
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 3, 2009
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/theatre-of-the-absurd/453568
Welcome to the theatre of the absurd: the
plot so topsy-turvy, the actors so clumsy, that it's a scandal the theatre
is open at all. To chronicle the play's three acts is to confuse the audience,
but here goes anyway. Act 1: The CBI justifies a disproportionate assets case
against Mulayam Singh Yadav; background score, a souring SP-Congress relationship
in 2007. Act 2: The solicitor general, CBI's director of prosecution, and
H.R. Bhardwaj's law ministry all justify withdrawing the case; background
score, the post-nuclear deal SP-Congress flirtations. Act 3: In 2009, the
CBI once again recommends to the Supreme Court that the case be pursued; background
score, a seat-sharing dispute between the SP and the Congress in UP.
How do these acts even pass off for a coherent
play? How do the actors change their lines with such ease? The first reason
is passing the parcel. With no clear director to take responsibility, a flip-flopping
plot is always someone else's fault. How else could Attorney General Milon
Banerji direct the CBI to not appeal against a high court order quashing the
Bofors case, then turn around and use that lack of appeal to justify cancelling
a red corner alert against Bofors-accused Ottavio Quattrocchi? How else could
the CBI get away with relying on its internal report on one occasion, and
on a contradictory solicitor general's opinion on another?
The other reason why the theatre of the absurd
has not closed down is the selective quoting of lines by actors. To hear Law
Minister H.R. Bharadwaj justify his decision to quash the case against Mulayam
Singh (Act 3) by quoting selectively from a Supreme Court order makes it sound
as if the judiciary is complicit in this perfidy. It also underlines the growing
phenomenon of politicians passing the buck on political hot potatoes - like
Babri Masjid or unregularised building - on to the judiciary. The selective
use of opinions and quotes helps clothe a nakedly political agenda in the
garb of mundane institutional procedure. This newspaper went beyond the passed
parcels and pruned opinions to expose the CBI dancing to its master's voice.
This ultimately is the only recourse for a citizenry hoping to shut down the
theatre of the absurd - check, verify, and then accuse.
